Upgrading the World Cup With Podcasts, Nielsen Q1 Audio Trends, & More

Today in the business of podcasting:

• Sport Social Podcast Network argues that sports podcasting has shifted from a complementary format to a defining part of how fans experience the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing a new BBC Studios and NumberEight campaign that drove a 19% awareness lift for a U.S. hospitality brand.
• CoHost and Quill CEO Fatima Zaidi kicks off a new series by asking 10 founders what they would do differently in year one, drawing responses from industry figures including Oxford Road's Dan Granger and Sounds Profitable Partner Bryan Barletta.
• Tubefilter examines what the box office success of creator-led films like Backrooms and Obsession signals for YouTubers and content creators looking to make the jump to Hollywood.
• Nielsen's Q1 2026 edition of The Record finds U.S. consumers spend nearly four hours daily with audio, with 82% of ad-supported audio time going to radio and podcasts, and Edison Research data showing podcasts account for 30% of ad-supported audio time among adults 18 to 34.

To find links to these, and every article covered in today's episode, click here. You can also subscribe to The Download's newsletter to receive the full issue straight to your email inbox every day.